The Wildcats (9-0), finishing a four-game home stand, cruised to an 11-4 halftime lead against the Middies (10-2).

Reiging national player of the year Shannon Smith and Kara Mupo each had five goals for Northwestern.Smith also had three assists.

The game marked homecoming for Navy's Cindy Timchal, the first coach of the Northwestern women from 1982 through 1990.

Timchal also became Navy's first women's lacrosse coach. The Middies began play in 2008 and have tried to accelerate the program's development by meeting teams like defending national champion Northwestern.

Navy has won the relatively weak Patriot League and made the NCAA tourney the past two seasons, losing in the first round each time.

"Northwestern is what we aspire to become," Timchal said. "It might take a little longer, but obviously it has been done here on the men's side."

Navy is a traditionally strong team in men's lacrosse, with two runner-up finishes in the NCAA tournament.